Which place is cheaper, Hangzhou or Surabaya?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Surabaya or Hangzhou?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Surabaya or Hangzhou? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Surabaya or Hangzhou?
Surabaya
Surabaya, also known as the "city of heroes," is the capital of East Java and the second largest city in Indonesia, following Jakarta. While it doesn't highlight as many typical tourist monuments as other cities, Surabaya serves as a takeoff point or a landing base for travelers visiting Mount Bromo and Bali.
Hangzhou
Hangzhou is a city in Eastern China, about an hour by train from Shanghai, renowned for its historic relics and natural beauty. Each year it attracts more than 20 million tourists who come to see what the city has to offer. Set amongst the natural scenery of lakes and mountains, Hangzhou is modern city that coexists with the old. Historic pagodas and cultural sites built around the central lake sit like they belong amidst the skyscrapers and bustling markets of today.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, The Best 10-Day Tours in Indonesia, The Best Adventure Tours to China, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in China.
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Surabaya Prices
Indonesia PricesHangzhou Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySurabaya $76Hangzhou $80
The average daily cost (per person) in Surabaya is $76, while the average daily cost in Hangzhou is $80. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Surabaya and Hangzhou in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurabaya $36Hangzhou $24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurabaya $72Hangzhou $48
Compare Hotels in Surabaya and Hangzhou
Looking for a hotel in Surabaya or Hangzhou? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Surabaya Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Surabaya $2.66Hangzhou $8.24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surabaya
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Surabaya:
- From Private Transfer To or From Mount Bromo: $34
- Private Airport Transfer Surabaya: $21
- Private Transfer International Jendaral Ahmad (SRG) to City Semarang: $13
- Private Transfer International Jendaral Ahmad (SRG) to City centre Seamarang: $13
- Private Transfer from Bangkalan to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $142
- Private Transfer from Batu to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $178
- Private Transfer from Berbek Industri to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $33
- Private Transfer from Buduran to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $33
- Private Transfer from Bungurasih to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $33
- Private Transfer from Gempol to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $54
- Private Transfer from Gresik to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $52
- Private Transfer from Kota Surabaya to Surabaya Airport (SUB): $33
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hangzhou
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hangzhou:
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Local Bus for Two$0.56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hangzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hangzhou:
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area : $29
- 2-Day Putuo Mountain Self-Guided Tour from Hangzhou by Private Transfer: $282
- Enduring Memories of Hangzhou West Lake Show VIP Ticket with Private Transfer: $128
- Hangzhou Downtown transfer to Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport: $35
- Hangzhou Private Transfer to Shanghai with Drop-off Options : $131
- Hangzhou Private Transfer to Shanghai with stop-over at Wuzhen Water Town: $167
- Hangzhou Private Transfer: City Hotels to Railway Station: $28
- Hangzhou Railway Station Private Arrival Transfer to City Area : $29
- Hangzhou West Lake Impression Ticket with Private Transfer: $122
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport TransferTo Shanghai Pudong Airport: $140
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan Int'l Airport Private Departure Transfer from City Area : $29
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport Private Transfer to QianDao Lake : $131
Is it cheaper to fly into Surabaya or Hangzhou?
Prices for flights to both Hangzhou and Surabaya change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one daySurabaya $37Hangzhou $31
Typical Food Prices in Hangzhou
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hangzhou:
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Breakfast Pastries$2.38
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Pizza Hut Lunch$11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hangzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hangzhou.
- All Inclusive Night Tour with Impression West Lake Show VIP Ticket and Dinner: $117
- Hangzhou One Day Local Food Tour: $124
- Private Amazing Hangzhou Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner Option : $170
- Xitang Water Town Private Night Tour from Hangzhou with Dinner: $203
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Surabaya $4.56Hangzhou $20
Tours and Activities in Surabaya
Here are a few actual costs in Surabaya for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- From Mount Bromo Sunrise Guided Group Tour: $46
- Epic Mount Bromo Sunrise Tour from Surabaya & Malang: $52
- From Malang: Tumpak Sewu Waterfall Private Tour: $68
- Private Day Tour Surabaya Historiculture : $70
- Mount Bromo Sunrise Shared Guided Tour from Surabaya : $71
- Day Tour - Surabaya Heritage Colonial Tour: $73
- Bromo Sunrise Tour: $76
- Surabaya Private Tour: $78
- Probolinggo City Tour For Cruise Passengers: $78
- Bromo Tour Package: Midnight Bromo Open Trip from Batu: $79
- Start From Mount Bromo Sunrise Shared Guided Tour : $79
- Half-Day Private Majapahit Historical Tour from Surabaya: $80
Tours and Activities in Hangzhou
Here are a few actual costs in Hangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Fei Lai Peak (Lingyin Temple) E-Ticket: $12
- Hangzhou Ghost Market Adventure: Antique Hunt & Bargain Tour: $40
- A Local Breakfast Experience and TCM visit: $46
- Hangzhou Bites: Local Guided Market Tour: $49
- The Key to Zhejiang Culture – Guided Museum Tour: $53
- Authentic Hangzhou Longjing Tea Culture Experience Tour : $53
- Best Price: Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $59
- Skip the Line: Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $65
- Zhejiang University Guided Campus Tour: $65
- Zuiyi Hangzhou Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $75
- Skip the Line Impression West Lake VIP Seat Ticket: $75
- Jiaxing Wuzhen East and West Day Tour from Hangzhou: $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySurabaya -Hangzhou $10
When comparing the travel costs between Surabaya and Hangzhou, we can see that Hangzhou is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Surabaya Expensive? and Is Hangzhou Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Surabaya or Hangzhou?
Surabaya has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of Hangzhou. When comparing the sizes of Surabaya and Hangzhou, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.